Perpetuus Advanced Materials has announced its first graphene-enhanced masterbatch compounds, engineered for commercial, passenger, and industrial tyre production. This initial offering will soon expand to cover a wider range of elastomer and polymer masterbatches for industries such as gaskets, hoses, conveyor belts, V-belts, and seals.
The innovative masterbatch utilises Perpetuus’s environmentally friendly plasma treatment process, integrating advanced graphenes into a ready-to-use compound. With availability in industrial quantities, tyre manufacturers can now incorporate this cutting-edge material directly into their existing production lines.
Perpetuus’s plasma process is highly sustainable, avoiding wet acid and solvent treatments that generate toxic waste. This dry process eliminates the need for energy-intensive drying and aligns with the company’s vision of responsible, scalable production.
The masterbatch combines plasma-treated graphene with natural rubber, carbon black, and other fillers to create a versatile base material. Road testing has demonstrated its ability to reduce tyre tread wear by up to 40%, while improving wet braking and handling. Additionally, it reduces PM2.5 tyre particles, addressing concerns about particulate air pollution.
John Buckland, CEO of Perpetuus Advanced Materials, stated: “In the 20 years since graphene was discovered, almost every use for the material has been developed in laboratories around the world, however the lack of affordable high quality graphenes has prevented known commercial applications coming to market. Our plasma treated surface engineered graphenes solve this problem which are now available in commercial quantities to all sectors of industry.”
This breakthrough supports environmental goals outlined in the UK’s Clean Air Act 2022 and the EU Clean Air Policy. Furthermore, it addresses issues such as tyre-derived pollutants in road runoff, enhancing water quality and benefiting aquatic ecosystems.
The masterbatch comprises over 90% of the ‘dry mix’ ingredients in tyre production and is supplied in pre-mixed 25 kg blocks, eliminating the need for toxic components like plasticisers, process oils, and resins. The innovation not only improves production efficiency but also enhances factory air quality and occupational safety.
Looking ahead, Perpetuus plans to launch its GRAPHENE C6 motorcycle and PCT tyre range in 2026, along with additional formulations like Styrene Butadiene Rubber for passenger car tyres. This flexible technology is set to transform elastomer-based applications across multiple industries.
For more details, visit PerpetuusAM.com.
